Two Bay Area women were arrested by Placer County sheriff's deputies after they allegedly purchased thousands of dollars worth of gift cards with counterfeit credit cards.
Monique Smith (pictured, left), 38, of Brentwood, and Bailey Lucas (right), 21, of Hayward, were arrested Tuesday afternoon near Interstate 80 and Highway 65 by deputies who were watching the roadways for the suspected getaway car, according to a Sheriff's Department news release.
Officials said an investigation revealed that the women visited Target stores in Lincoln, Roseville and Auburn that day, purchasing VISA gift cards with counterfeit credit cards. Security officers at the Auburn Target store became suspicious and began watching Lucas. They also notified patrol deputies.
When Lucas' transaction did not go through, the woman grabbed her belongings and ran from the store, officials said. Security officers provided a description of the getaway car, which was broadcast to deputies, and the women were arrested minutes later.
A search of the vehicle turned up more than 70 VISA gift card, according to the news release.
The investigation is continuing and all victims whose credit cards were skimmed are being contacted. Detectives said it appears that all the victims are from Florida.
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